SJ woke up the following day and turned to his side, checking on Elli’s condition. He found her sleeping on her side with her back to him in a fetus position. He sat up and placed a hand on her forehead and checked her temperature. She developed a fever late in the evening and Paige had to calm him down because he was set in bringing her to the hospital already.
“She’s going to be fine,” Paige said firmly. “I already injected antibiotics. Just wipe her with cold water from time to time, it’s her body reacting to the incident. It’s good that she was able to throw up. Let her rest and she’s going to be okay.”
He clenched his fist as he remembered that scene he walked into.
SJ stood up and grabbed his shirt, putting it on quickly when he heard the doorbell.
“Hi,” Jasmine greeted when he opened the door. She raised up a bowl that is still steaming hot. “I made her some chicken soup to mak
“Feeling better?”Elli turned and found SJ at the doorway, smiling at her calmly after she took a quick bath and changed to a sundress. She noticed that his hair is wet, and he had changed into khaki shorts and plain white shirt.“Thank you,” she said with a smile.SJ walked to her and gathered her in his arms.“You don’t need to thank me,” he said gently. “What happened last night is partly my fault. I’m partly to blame because my sisters knew that I never liked the marriage in the first place.”She reached out and touched his cheek gently.“It’s okay,” she replied softly. “We both never wanted it in the first place. But, now, I don’t even know how I even started liking to having you around. Except probably your temper and arrogant self. I’m just glad you’re here.”SJ tightened his hold and bent down to kiss her.Elli ti
SJ placed his car keys on the table by the main door before securing the lock late that evening. He watched as Elli silently walked towards the kitchen and reached for the tea kettle. She opened the paper bag and pulled out one chamomile tea bag he knew his mother bought for her.“Would you like some tea also?” She asked softly.“Yes, thank you,” SJ answered as he walked to the living area first and placed the shopping bags, he carried for her before sitting on the dining table. “But don’t steep mine too much. Just wanted it light.”Elli nodded as she poured hot water on two mugs. She then took one bag off the mug after a minute and handed it to him before she sat down on the chair to his right. She slowly took a sip on her tea and then putting her mug on the table.SJ studied her for a while. While she and his mom took off for a spa session after breakfast, he called up Debra, apologizing that it’s the week
Elli finally sat down on the chair one of the construction workers provided for her and she took off her hard hat, placing it on the table on a fine Tuesday morning. It’s been more than a month since she returned to her work, and she was glad that she was told by Florence that she will be directly supervising the works on site on Mr. Grande’s granddaughter’s room renovation.Since she came back to the office, there has been some changes in her department. Upon the CEO’s approval, she is now promoted to a managerial position. She now has her own private cubicle at the far end side of the office on their department floor and has five staffs under her that were all newly hired as instructed. All her staffs respected her, and she returned the same treatment.However, being promoted also has its own downside. Valerie, her former supervisor was full of anger and envy when she had found out about the promotion. Apparently, she had never forgotten that
SJ looked up from the contract documents that he is reviewing, Thursday the following week when he heard his office door opening. He saw Debra coming in together with some assistants bringing another box of cake and a box of expensive wine.“This is from the office of Mr. Sanders,” Debra said formally and walked towards the coffee table that is already laden gifts for him. “He also sent some food for the employees to enjoy for lunch at the food hall later.”“Thanks, Deb,” he said. “Do we have enough for the lunch party later?”“Yes, sir,” Debra replied.SJ nodded as he closed the folder of the contract. He stood up and looked at the cake boxes. “Perhaps all the cakes can be brought down later,” he noted. “Just divide it equally for the food hall and for the service crew cafeteria. Do they also have enough food?”Debra nodded with an assured smile.He wa
Elli placed her phone back in her bag after talking with Florence and she bit her lip. She looked towards Betty and her father, who are looking at some linens.“SJ wants you here back by lunch,” Florence said over the phone softly. “Do you know what today is?”“No,” Elli answered honestly. “Is there something going on?”Elli could hear Brian’s laughter in the background.“It’s SJ’s birthday, Elli,” Florence answered, controlling her laughter. “Oh my God! You just made him lost his temper a few minutes ago. You really had no idea?”“No,” Elli replied. “He never tells anything about him when we’re together. So, how the hell was I supposed to know? Besides, why would he feel angry about if I didn’t know? It’s not like he cares if I know or not with, the way he is treating me.”“Do I detect some jealousy, Elli
Elli stood beside Archibald as they waited for his car to pick them up so they can head off for lunch. She watched as Betty played with his father’s face gently and her heart just melted at the mere sight of it. She thought back of all the love she got from her dad.“Car is here,” Archibald remarked a few minutes later. He handed Betty to her nanny and patiently waited for his car to stop. He opened the car door and gestured to Elli. “You go in, first. I’ll sit on the front.”“Are you sure?” She asked in surprise. “It won’t be a bother.”“Yes,” he assured with a sincere smile. “Go on in It’s just a short ride from here.”Before Elli could put one foot inside the black Range Rover, someone grabbed her arm roughly and pulled her forcefully away. She gasped in surprise, turning to whoever pulled her and looked up into the cold, hard eyes of her husband. She stared
SJ placed down his coffee cup the following day and stood up, folding the newspaper that he is reading. He went back to his room just in time for Carmela to stepped out from the shower.“Good morning,” she greeted with a smile.She laughed when SJ grabbed her by the waist and pulled her to him, kissing her neck deliciously.“I’m getting your suit wet,” she giggled as she clung to him.“I still have some clothes here for sure,” he responded as he loosened his tie while his other hand is running down her body wrapped in a soft towel. “Just tell the housekeeper to send this to the cleaners later.”“You’re insatiable,” she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his head down for a kiss while her towel dropped on the floor. “And, I like it. Here’s to your first day after turning twenty-nine.”SJ grinned as he pushed her towards the bed, fall
Elli entered the Vault of Arts Museum late that afternoon and smiled cordially at the receptionist who greeted. She was thankful that all the employees were given an early off and with the holidays on the first two days of the following week, all were heading off to their planned outings or vacations. Elli graciously declined an invite for a weekend getaway planned by her staff. She instead gave them a budget for their food and gas, which they profusely thanked her.“Hello. I’m Elli Porter,” she introduced herself formally while showing her ID. “I received a call from Ms. Hannah Adams with regards to the painting that I submitted last time.”“I’ll give her a call, Ms. Porter,” the receptionist answered and put the receiver on her ear. “Hello, Ms. Adams. This is Taylor from reception. I have Ms. Elli Porter here in front of me and mentioned that she received a call from you.”“Very well, Ma’a
7 Years Later… SJ looked up from the contract document that he is reviewing inside his office at the sound of his two sons, squealing and laughing at the game they are playing with their playmates. He smiled at the sound of them enjoying the sunny afternoon. After scanning through the document one more time, he finally signed on his name indicated below and closed the folder and putting it on his outgoing tray. He stood up and walked towards the glass door that will lead him out to where his sons are. He stood there for a while and watched as seven-year-old Michael run happily while holding a giant pinwheel in his one hand as his younger brother Alexander Philip, who just turned five last month, was running after him, clapping happily. Their nannies were keeping a close watch on them while he saw William arranging the long table outside by the pool with Cherry and two more helpers. “My turn!” Alexander exclaimed as he pointed at the pinwheel.
Elli leaned on the bed that night two months after she got out of the hospital and watched as SJ continued swaying their baby and humming lightly to get him to sleep. The look on his face squeezed her heart so tight, the look of pure love visible on his face. It's been two months since that eventful night. Who would have thought that something dreadful and dangerous had led to something much more memorable with the birth of their son? Michael Elliot Kincaid. Elli could feel tears in her eyes when SJ told her the name that he wants for their first born. The name is not from someone in his family but from hers. She remembered hugging him so tight that he had thought of Michael Porter. She was planning to use that name on their future children. “Well, if it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t have gotten married in the first place,” SJ pointed out with a smile. He gave her a long kiss. “I told your dad about it, and he was more than happy about it. I also discus
SJ watched, with tears in his eyes as the baby was finally laid on Elli’s arms and she lovingly cuddled him, looking down at him with so much love in her eyes. The baby is continuing to cry in his mother’s arms.“Hi, baby,” Elli whispered softly, rocking him gently. The baby, somehow felt familiar with the voice that is soothing him, started to lower his cries. “Mommy’s here. I’m so happy to see you. I love you so much, sweetheart. You just made me the happiest person, right now.”Elli turned towards him and smiled up at him widely.“I love you,” SJ said as he kissed her head gently and his one hand shakily touch the top of the head of his first-born. He could feel tears running down his face. “Hello, son. Daddy’s here now.”The two looked down at their baby lovingly, just feeling the joyful moment it brings them.“I hate to interrupt this moment, guys, but I need y
Elli finally stood up, holding on to the grab rails, from the bowl after she finally relieved herself and pulled up her underwear carefully. She winced a bit when she felt a pain on her lower back as well as her belly. She turned to flush down the toilet and noticed that she had a pinkish discharge on the bowl, and she took note of that for her next appointment with Paige.“Marissa, do you have my phone?” She called out softly. “I’ll call SJ and tell him that I want to go upstairs to the room and rest. I don’t feel like going back to the function anymore.”“Yes, Madam,” Marissa answered softly. “I’ll have your phone ready when you come out.”Elli heard the door to the bathroom open when she had another pain shot up her belly. She massaged her stomach gently, breathing slowly and calmly. After a few minutes, she finally decided to unlock the door of the stall that she occupied.“Do you
SJ looked at his watch for the fourth time and looked towards the doorway and waiting for Elli to appear back from the bathroom. He is tapping his hand lightly on his leg, a motion that his mother had accidentally saw when she turned to receive her wine.“Is something wrong, dear?” Mrs. Kincaid asked in concern.“Elli’s not yet back from the bathroom,” he answered calmly.“Give her another two minutes, dear,” she replied, putting a hand on his and squeezed it lightly. “It usually takes a little longer for pregnant women.”SJ nodded and pulled out his phone. He dialed Stu’s number and waited for the bodyguard to answer his phone. He grimaced and cursed silently when his call went unanswered. He pressed the number again and still his call went unanswered.He looked up and motioned to Sam.“Yes, sir?”“Please check on my wife,” he whispered straightly. &l
SJ held Elli’s hand as he gently assisted her down the Range Rover late Friday afternoon in the driveway, fronting The Grande Duchess Hotel, who is fully lighted for its inauguration. He made sure that her dress behind is flowing neatly.“Thanks,” Elli said with a smile and her hand automatically went to her stomach, which is now round and big. “Do you have my jacket?”He nodded as he placed them around her shoulders.Elli is now nine-months pregnant and in a few days will be giving birth to their baby.A son.SJ couldn’t hide his happiness when during their gender reveal, the baby is a boy. He wouldn’t mind having a girl as well and he will make sure that after a few years, he will be having one.Both of their families as well as their friends were overjoyed by the news. Piles of gifts started arriving at their home and Elli was shaking her head in amusement when SJ had converted one of the guest ro
Elli hugged her grandmother after the wedding ceremonies were over as well as the picture taking was completed. As instructed by SJ and getting her consent, they allowed one official photo by photographer be uploaded by the wedding organizer that SJ had hired. It created a buzz online the moment it was uploaded. “I can’t believe you came all the way here, Grams,” Elli said with a smile after giving her a kiss on the cheek. “I’m so happy that you’re here. As well as with you, Grandpa and Uncle.” She then hugged them both. Elli was glad that she decided to go overseas and see her mother’s family last year. She spent most of her time with her grandfather, who she knew was a hard man based on her mother’s journals as well as from her father. It took her a while but finally, she was able to convince him that she will lead the life that she wants. “That man better take care of you, Ellisande,” Phillip Montagu said seriously as he hugged her tightly.
SJ watched lovingly as Elli stood at the end of aisle while Luisa, Paige and Jasmine helped put on the veil that was included in the dress that he had custom-made for her. He saw her smile widely when she was handed the bouquet of flowers made of peonies, tulips, and roses with some lush greens.That night when Elli had told him about their baby where he couldn’t sleep, he decided to give her a surprise.He will marry her all over again.With their wedding anniversary coming up in less than two weeks, he had to pull a lot of strings to make everything happen. He sought the help of his mother, his and her friends, Debra, and her father, who he called overseas that same night.He had to pay a big amount just to get Le Bernardin to say yes to his plan because the place has been known to never accept any occasions. He had to rely on his biggest connection and that was Elli’s grandfather, who he finally got to talk to a few days ago.SJ was
SJ gently pulled a sleeping Elli to him and watched her snuggle automatically closer to him. He dropped a soft kiss on her forehead and just continued watching.He could not sleep even after making love to her.He just can’t. Not after getting the best news in his life.“I’m going to be a dad?” He asked when he finally stood up. “You’re not joking, right?”Elli shook her head with a smile, tears running down her cheeks. “This is supposed to be my surprise for you once we get to Le Bernardin,” she answered as she took the ultrasound photos from him and looked down at it lovingly. “But I got upset when I saw you pull those brakes.”SJ chuckled as he placed both hands on her face.“I knew you can make it to top five when you were still practicing,” she said softly. She placed her hands on his as well and smiled through tears. “I watched the replay of the race be